Kenneth Williams...Excellent Chat Show Appearance From 1980

[@robertballuumm730]

What an amazing raconteur. I could listen to him for hours. Sadly we don't see talent like his any more.

[@splinterbyrd]

In chatshows, his friend Miriam Margolyes tries to be a raconteur imitating his style, but she is tasteless and crude, and doesn't come close

[@czeshirecat6278]

I’d love to have seen him talk with several smart, gay, folk including Stephen fry

[@Sukikev]

As many have commented, an absolute genius and legend.

[@jaffat3560]

This man was a truly brilliant actor. Such a shame that he felt so lonely in his life, in part due to his homosexuality. We (the British people) lost a true genius, entertainer and wonderful man when he died. They sure don't make them like this anymore.

[@MrDaiseymay]

We are all unique, but nobody could ever come close to his fantastic mix of talents, all borne and molded out of his own personal experiences in a life that can never be replicated.

[@petebest22]

He always entertained me in whatever he did 👍 such a nice person to listen to unlike the so called star's these days.

[@petebest22]

@J S well said 👍

[@stephjovi]

Must have been tough. I don't know this guy KZbin just took me here. But my first impression was Omg he's so gay. Nowadays he'd be celebrated as fabulous but back than he must have denied the obvious

[@judybage4083]

Jaffa T He was celibate his whole life, his privacy was the most important thing to him. He never had a relationship as he couldn’t let anyone see his body as he found that to be an invasion of his privacy.

[@icdas7158]

Adore him could listen for hours and hours .

[@ketchup5344]

He entertains from the second he opens his mouth. A unique, distinctive and unforgettable character. Luckily he's captured in all those classic movies he appeared in to be appreciated forever. ✌🏽

[@ianbentley7276]

A masterclass in story telling.

[@Stevecamden]

You always new that Parkinson was worth staying up for if he or Frankie Howard were on it

[@Adam-q5l]

Story telling yes... and overreacting in this interview if you dont notice but still a legend......❤

[@zenthra]

whenever i see Kenneth Wiliams on a chat show i never want it to end!

[@richardcummins5465]

You just have to listen to EVERY WORD this man utters. Verbal poetry.

[@charlesdavis7087]

He never fails to lift my spirits. Watch these posts dozens of times. Love each one.

[@astridvallati4762]

I remember KW from BBC World Service Radio in the 1970s whilst I was at University in Italy. Programs like "Just a Minute" and others, and the "Carry on" Films. Always a pleasing voice, and "campy" lilt to his voice. Years of soul lifting programs. Sadly Missed...a true Artiste.

[@madabbafan]

No one has come close to Ken's brilliance in humour. His vocal abilities were fantastic, just watch episodes of the origanal run of willow the wisp all voices done by Ken. He was an entire cast in one.

[@formerlybernard6460]

Willow The Wisp! Jeez, that takes me back to the early 80s . I remember the opening credits.

[@DavidFlood-f3q]

I loved willow the wisp when I was little,I was scared of evil Edna and a large part of it was the great voice Kenneth did for her.

[@TheWhitehall]

Never a dull moment. What a splendid dinner guest he must have been. Sit, Listen and Enjoy. Greatly missed.

[@coralarch]

I adored him when I was 11 years old and too young to know what "campy " humour was all about- and when I DID find out, it made it all the funnier. RIP, Kenneth- I still miss your rich voice and nostrils flared in disdain!

[@iiredeye]

At a fantasy dinner party this man would be in the top 5 guests.

[@gmf121266]

Absolutely!

[@ChrizRockster]

I love Kenneth Williams - I am only thankful that our lives overlapped and that my parents shared every single Carry On movie with me from a young age.

[@Picnicl]

It is difficult, I suppose, for most people to realise that in some one like Kenneth Williams is a spirit both as old as the ages (there's something wonderfully of the Victorian about him) and yet also, for all his learned erudition, eternally innocently impish and childlike with a wonderful smile when he allows it to break through his admirable seriousness. Yet all most will have seen is some kind of affected sense of camp arrogance. Far more fascinating than most people indeed- he should

[@ravenhill_of_midsummer_1968]

well commented.

[@ravenhill_of_midsummer_1968]

nicely put.

[@andrewbooth4776]

He was a great speaker , very articulate.He was so much more than the Carry On actor. He was a very good performer and could handle a live audience.

[@1911olympic]

I'm sure he is in heaven now. There all laughing their heads off there too! What a brilliant man! Thank you Kenneth! 👍👍👍👍👍😂🤣😂🤣

[@robovac3557]

I thought God banned the gays from heaven?

[@Penabby]

Unique, will never be anyone like him, a Legend!

[@ianbentley7276]

He never paused for breath. Best raconteur ever, with the exception of Peter Ustinov. Possibly a tie.

[@martm216]

Yes, Peter Ustinov was also a master raconteur. Plus, Peter Sellers was pretty good as well. I think one of his Parky interviews is still on Utube.

[@ianbentley7276]

@@martm216 funnily enough i watched Peter's, "an audience with" last night, brilliant.

[@martm216]

@@ianbentley7276 oh yes! What a performer! All that stuff about when he was in the army, and that sergeant-major or whatever the rank was: 'Stand up straight then.' 'Got any cake?' And Ustinov was such a multifaceted guy, all the high level charity work he did.

[@ianbentley7276]

@@martm216 indeed, his military stories were my favourites in the programme. In fact I've recounted them in the pub a few times. :-) Also the Jackie Stewart story was brilliant.

[@martm216]

@@ianbentley7276 oh yes! I remember that! Wonderful with Jackie being in the audience. And a very accurate impression. What was it? 'He won't get far driving like that ... Well, he's still in the lead ... I don't like the sound of that engine... Well, he can count himself a VERY LUCKY young man.' And all the engine sound effects. Wonderful.

[@mickeyh1961]

Kenneth was a brilliant entertainer a wonderful mimic & a tremendous Mind, he is surely missed from our world, Sadly nothing remotely like him today, getting Dumber & Dumber I am afraid. great video

[@MrDaiseymay]

what a great loss he was, so sad that he took his own life. At least we have many recordings of the great man.

[@Maryonpark]

You hang on his every word. A true genius.

[@Syklonus]

Kenneth would have been an outstanding guest on the Graham Norton show had he lived and was able to attend. His close friends Miriam Margolyes and Barbera Windsor made it there, and it would have been great to see him as well.

[@gresach]

As a kid growing up I used to love him in the Carry On movies. ("Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it in for me!") Sublime. But he's just as good telling us his own anecdotes here. So sorry he's no longer with us. Wish all the tortured comics could each have been given a big hug and told how much they were loved. Stay with us.

[@stephenborsbey4350]

a brilliant storyteller with the voices too.YOU COULD SIT NEXT TO HIM IN A PUB and listen to him allnight.

[@johnking5174]

He was pure gold for talk shows. He was perfect for Parkinson. He and Parkinson did not like each other in the early years, Kenneth was a conservative with a small "c" and Michael was more left wing, so they clashed a bit politically, but later on they became friends, not best buddies, but mutual respect was gained and earned.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Kenneth Williams reminds me of a darling English friend I once had. They might be gone but they are not forgotten. Love makes all the right connections.

[@billysilver1600]

@@johnking5174 Yes.My take on Parky’s success was that he was exceedingly dull in his energy, in a congenial way, made boring celebrities look interesting and a good show My slight aversion to Parky these days is how rather than pay tribute to Kenneth William’s wonderful storytelling skills, he just sums him up as a ‘strange man’. A real disservice to Ken.

[@nostromoau]

I could listen to Kenny Williams telling stories for hours.

[@RadagonTheRed]

He speaks with such incredible alacrity, I could listen to him speak all day.

[@paulwoolley4957]

What an extremely gifted and funny man?God bless him🙏❤️

[@LightbeamProductions]

such a brilliant performer and will no doubt still make me smile and laugh for many a years to come, rest easy Mr. Williams =) and thankyou

[@TheWhitehall]

Yes. I have recently read his " Diaries". A very complex man. I saw him many years ago walking along the Strand. I think he was going to the Playhouse Theatre in Villiers St. On this particular occasion, he may have been "looking" to be recognised. He was wearing a bright check jacket and whistling a chirpy tune. Comedian Ted Ray,father of Andrew, was himself a manic depressive. So ironic that [some] people who devoted their talents to make others happy were themselves not.

[@shaunigothictv1003]

And that my friends is the absolutely out of this world genius of the amazing Kenneth Williams. One of the greatest comic performers that ever lived! Robin Williams was another - but Kenneths delivery is unmatched.

[@Billbothebear14]

Priceless. Genius. Loved and adored. WF

[@drwhatson]

I remember listening to "Round The Horne" on the radio in the 60s. A groundbreaking comedy in many ways.

[@lizdaly2703]

Oh gosh pity he could not live forever

[@capjoartist1200]

GREAT MAN,very UNIQUE CHARACTER AND TALENT I SALUTE YOU

[@robstammers7149]

Still a Shinning Star, brilliantly erudite, self deprecating, but ultimately the Master of words, anecdote, and his own voice characterisation. A unique individual, the like of which we will never see or hear again.

[@jimisi7424]

That is as good as it gets. A genius storyteller

[@Highland_Ronin]

Love the way he rolls the Rs

[@Mike8981]

I’ve always wanted to be able to do that!

[@Starwithnonname]

Brilliant - I have never read "Acid Drops", but shall search for it. Am amazing man and great entertainer.

[@jrgboy]

I got a hardback copy for £2.50 inc postage from Amazon a couple of years ago, very amusing

[@mscott3918]

You should, it's brilliant.

[@homebrandrules]

Starwithnoname tart retorts wouldve made a better title, dont you think so? I,m sure regardless itd be a scintillating read

[@icdas7158]

It’s a fab book

[@hilary531]

Ageless, hilarious, extraordinarily talented...god I love this man.

[@farmbrough]

He loved doing his Dame Edith, didn't he? :)

[@Picnicl]

have been embraced as a serious talent- and as a person of lasting stature- rather than the way that many people just seemed to enjoy him as some kind of fruity relic of a rapidly bygone age. A well dressed, handsome, man too but in a way that the modern world does not seem to register anymore.

[@stewartchristie3408]

The word genius gets banded about for people with limited talent but Kenny is the real deal. Thank you for being alive and entertaining us all these years. Keep messing about!😊

[@fionahairdresser]

Definitely my dinner guest number 1.

[@MaryHarper]

Wonderful. Thanks for posting.

[@medievalist]

I read Acid Drops years ago, it was great :)

[@adamstinger2496]

I love all films of kennth Williams, sixd James, Barbara winsor and Co. There will be no such comrdielian and intelligent artist any more. Rest in peace the true legends

[@nathelondon3719]

Could have listened to him all day. Now go watch an audience with Kenneth Williams

[@JoseEduardoNZ]

Wow, I love this guy. Kenneth Williams you were brilliant. You are brilliant.

[@The_Big_Dawg]

Great man, sorely missed.

[@Stevecamden]

We just opened a bottle of Beaujolais and couldn’t remember whether KW or Dame Edith had told the story. Such is the effect that this sketch had on me, I still can’t help but imitate DE when we have it!

[@tippersfunnyworld4795]

the people of the earth should not forget this man

[@lovebrookeshields]

I absolutely LOVE this interview. Every time I see it I laugh until I cry :D

[@1979LITTLEMISS]

I always think of Kenneth as being on a higher plane than most people.

[@kelman727]

1979LITTLEMISS So did he, lamentably.

[@Mousepie999]

What a loss to us all he was. I don't think he understood how loved he was by the British public.

[@EmmaRiddle543]

And he loved it.

[@allenchapman6126]

Legendary funny man. No one like it these days. RIP Ken

[@kevinbennett7615]

Halfway through I was hoping for a Maggie Smith story. He did not disappoint.

[@maureenshaw8633]

What a fantastic actor Kenneth was. When I was a kid we loved to sit infront of the telly. Me on the floor 🤣 and watch the carry on films. They were brilliant. Sid was awesome too. However they all were who starred in them. We will never see true comedy like this ever again. Sadly missed. So funny though 😂 😂 😂

[@petebest22]

Kenneth such a great person and great storyteller on jackanory 😊👍

[@csgollum]

I've only watched him in the Carry On! series... never knew he had such a treasure-trove of LOL-inducing stories!

[@ianbentley7276]

There's thousands of them, you have a treat in store searching for them on youtube.

[@larryboyes7276]

Three very clever guests this particular evening.

[@kentishtowncowboy]

Very funny. Marvellous mimicry and delivery.

[@Dan-pv1kc]

Could listen to him all night . So interesting . Real intelligence.

[@autopsysal666]

He makes Russell Brand look like Russell Bland. True Genius

[@Syklonus]

Don't be petty. Humour is subjective, and it's tacky to berate one form of comedian over another.

[@EmmaRiddle543]

Everyone makes Russell Brand look like Russell Bland cos he is......

[@billysilver1600]

Yep. Thats bloke,s a self-watching phoney. And so many try to be a ‘ new’ Kenneth Williams. Makes K.W seem all the more missed.

[@WatchingDude]

I do so love Kenneth's intellect

[@MarkMahoney]

What a extraordinary man!

[@d23bw]

One of the best ever funny men. He lived as he appeared to be. Utterly unique and genuine. His rendition of "mon crepe suzette"is side burstingly funny. Rest dear man. The word Arch describes his manner perfectly to me.

[@janbarber7807]

RIP Kenneth.!Such genius.

[@mazzymuso]

Love the Robert Helpmann story. Can just visualise the scene 😂

[@franceleeparis37]

British actors are the best in the world.. and Kenneth Williams was one of the funniest of them all..🙂

[@algoyo]

I love that Edith Evans story.

[@christinahall2587]

Google says, “ Kenneth Williams had a fierce intellect, was mainly self taught and his command of the English language was legendary “. I have heard that the only reason Sir Lawrence Olivier couldn’t accept Kenneth for a part in one of his productions of Shakespeare was because Kenneth was famous for the Carry On films and Sir Lawrence was afraid of the type of audience Kenneth would attract !

[@paulhardman4640]

He was truly Mesmerising.

[@thedr.feelgood]

With ...... " Alarming ferocity " !

[@abbamanic]

It's when he recalls about the fellow who wanted a blow wave at his fathers shop..I cannot stop laughing!!

[@jongdaeisbrighterthanmyfut7418]

Everything this guy says is one mic-drop after another!

[@TheWhitehall]

I hope that is so. He was very fond of walking and exploring London. Back in the late 70`s I saw him walking [whistling] down the Strand, I guess that he may have been making his way to the Playhouse Theatre in Villiers Street.

[@mattbod]

Grew up loving the Carry On films and Willow the Wisp and adored Kenneth.

[@boomerhgt]

What a brilliant character he was awesome

[@32446]

I love him. He’s been so missed.

[@coralarch]

stormbringer, thanks! I was truly puzzled by that one!

[@adude9882]

I notice he listens patiently to the question with no tendency to butt in. A great interlocutor.

[@southseastroker]

What a joy!

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

My maternal uncle and mother knew him quite well and as a result when I was born in 1959, I was given the forenames Kenneth William……..

[@craig1078]

Excellent. Thanks for posting this.

[@raulmoat2570]

not many people knew he was gay back then. but now, his voice is a dead giveaway.

[@robster6162]

A true one off. A genius. So talented.

[@gwendolynbeecroft512]

Fab adore him and Maggie Smith..

[@czeshirecat6278]

I’ve loved him for years. Enunciation, English speaking, intelligence. I feel for his views on carry on movies. I wish I’d seen him chat with Stephen Fry

[@MrTobester1]

comic genius. sharp as a razorblade

[@cuddles4068]

A wonderful wonderful story teller.

[@jenogilvie-grant2636]

Brilliant man ! 🙏

[@Picnicl]

Some of the great comics were great tragedians too. (Not all- some comics are so good at being light-hearted- like Chevy Chase in his heyday that they don't need to mine a tragic angle) but Kenneth Williams seemed to be both. There was no artifice to it. He had a perfectly professorial yet also theatrical air but professors of that time would have probably ignored him as being too 'arch' and disliked that fact that, despite not being Oxbridge-educated, he seemed far more Oxbridge than they did.

[@pinkriffic]

It seems that so many comics either hate themselves, have drug problems or are just generally disturbed. I guess genius does come at a price. Britain misses you Kenneth...

[@tarotastrology]

pinkriffic Im an addict, I hate myself I’m and disturbed. But I’m no genius. He was just lucky that he had a talent to go with all that misery, most of us just have that.

[@richardscally694]

My goodness me, what an incredible intelligent raconteur Kenneth Williams was. All you have today are these foul-mouthed, so-called comedian. Effing and blinding on chat shows, in their feeble attempts at comedy.

[@ghughesarch]

You don't, actually. And Ken said fuck a lot.

[@alfching2499]

Richard Scally Yes I know what you mean,I don’t know them they ain’t worth watching,This Man was Brilliant ,Witty,and Honest As the old song says,Where Have All the Flowers Gone Long Time Passing

[@shaunigothictv1003]

Excellent point Richard.

[@cedricspencer5961]

Where have all these characters gone?

[@miketravis6149]

Political correctness killed them all.

[@normanbates3200]

Yet another sign we are losing our precious & unique culture, humour, intellect and country. But at least we have an incredible range of restaurants to eat at while we go extinct.

[@miketravis6149]

LOL

[@MrDaiseymay]

@@normanbates3200 Some compensation that is mate; I'd swop all that foreign shit for a bag of Chips and my Country back.

[@ravenhill_of_midsummer_1968]

@@MrDaiseymay me too, i can't believe what i see around me now.

[@1979LITTLEMISS]

'The K W Diaries' Sat 4th Oct 1980: 'TV Centre at 1 o'c. & talked with Chris (researcher) & Mike Parkinson & John Fisher...My entrance was marred by my tripping up on the bottom step, the opening dialogue was stilted & unfunny & four or five minutes of turgid rubbish constituted the chat till I got off the play & on to the book! Telling stories - ...Edith Evans & the Crescent Hotel...Charles Laurence's Mae West line. By that time I'd started climbing & by the end it was OK, but only just!'

[@davidcutting]

excellent, thanks for sharing video

[@MrMakeDo]

What a pity he's not still with us.

[@TheCannonface]

Kenneth Williams was so funny RIP.

[@rimmersgirl81]

funny how kenneth williams done the parky shows when in his diaries (which i am reading for the millionth time!) he calls michael parkinson a "north country nit!" what a guy! R.I.P kenneth williams what a loss of a great comedy and acting genius!